Center for Maritime Strategy

08/17/2026

Last Thursday, the CMS team and congressional staffers visited the Newport News shipyard for the last day of our 2026 Congressional Maritime Intensive. They got an exclusive, in-person look at the shipyard's operations and gained a greater understanding of America's shipbuilding process.

Thanks to Newport News Shipbuilding, A Division of HII, for making this visit possible. It was inspiring to see shipbuilders and the US Navy in action!

08/13/2026

Day 2 of the 2026 Congressional Maritime Intensive was another incredible examination into our nation's reliance on a thriving maritime presence and the lessons we can learn from our allies and competition. Thank you to our Day 2 speakers for preparing remarks and guiding staffers through nuanced yet impactful maritime related topics.

Speakers included:
🔱 Captain Stephen Carmel, U.S. Merchant Marine, Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration
🔱 William Mahan, Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition
🔱 Commodore Gus Carnie, RN, British Naval Attaché to the United States
🔱 Captain Marco Bagni, ITN, Doctrine, Lessons Learned, Evaluation Branch Head, NATO Joint Forces Command (JFC) Norfolk
🔱 Rob Gorham, President and CEO, BlueForge Alliance
🔱 Michael Coulter, President and CEO, Hanwha Defense USA
🔱 Captain Christopher Sharman, USN (Ret.), Director, China Maritime Studies Institute, U.S. Naval War College
🔱 Jim McCarthy, Jr., Vice President of Naval Programs, Cypress International
🔱 Robert Smith, Executive Vice President, Marine Systems, General Dynamics Electric Boat
🔱 John Eckardt, Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources (N8B)
🔱 Col. James Armstrong, USMC
🔱 Captain Wayne O'Donnell, USCG, Budget Director, Coast Guard Headquarters
🔱 Vice Admiral Rob Gaucher, USN, Director, Submarine Programs
🔱 Tsiporah Fried, Visiting Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute
🔱 Dr. Ian Ralby, Senior Non-Resident Fellow, Center for Maritime Strategy
🔱 Dr. Benjamin Jenson, Director, Futures Lab and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department, Center for Strategic and International Studies
🔱 Mackenzie Eaglen, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
🔱 Shelby Oakley, Director, Contracting and National Security Acquisitions, Government Accountability Office
🔱 Ian Easton, Associate Professor, China Maritime Studies Institute, U.S. Naval War College

The final day is a trip to Newport News Shipyard!

08/12/2026

Our 5th annual Congressional Maritime Intensive kicked off yesterday with a record number of staffers joining us for the three-day event. We want to thank our Day 1 speakers for taking the time to dive deep into America's dependence on the sea and the strategic advantage of having a strong maritime force.

Speakers included:
🔱 Rear Admiral Paul Lanzilotta, Chief of Legislative Affairs, Department of Navy
🔱 Admiral John Richardson (Ret.), 31st Chief of Naval Operations
🔱 Captain Brent Sadler (Ret.), Senior Research Fellow, Heritage Foundation
🔱 Dr. Joshua Tallis, Research Program Director for Ally and Partner Security Affairs, Center for Naval Analyses
🔱 Gordon Jaquith, Executive Director of Department of Navy Relations, Center for Naval Analyses
🔱 Captain Michael B**r, Afloat Training Group San Diego, U.S. Navy
🔱 Lt. Col. Nate "RD" Ross, USMC
🔱 Captain Christjan Gaudio, USCG, Special Missions Command Pre-Commissioning Detachment
🔱 Captain Alaina Basciano Carouge, U.S. Merchant Marine
🔱 Samuel F. Byers, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Center for Maritime Strategy
🔱 Phillip Pournelle, Fellow for Mission and Operations Research Analysis, Digital Wargaming, Systems Planning and Analysis
🔱 Dmitry Filipoff, Director of Online Content, Center for International Maritime Security

Day 2 is now underway!

04/21/2026

Led by Dean, Admiral James Foggo, USN (ret.), the CMS breakfast kicked off day two of Sea Air Space this morning.

He was joined by ADM Karl Thomas, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, VADM Robert Gaucher, Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager Submarines and Program Acquisition Executive Submarine, and CAPT William Toti, Senior Advisor to Deputy Secretary of War.

The 5th annual CMS Breakfast focused on maritime dominance in an era of great power competition.

The global maritime landscape has reached a critical pressure point. As the United States and its allies navigate an era of unprecedented transparency in the world's oceans, the traditional advantages of stealth and isolation are being challenged by ubiquitous sensing, artificial intelligence, and a strained industrial base.

This high-level panel brought together senior leaders in the U.S. Navy and the Department of War to discuss how the U.S. Navy will maintain dominance through 2030 and beyond.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting this important discussion.

04/21/2026

04/01/2026

Strategize, adapt, execute, win!

At Sea Air Space 2026, explore the latest wargaming solutions across physical and digital environments during our annual "Gaming to Win" demonstration. Browse the demonstration floor or take part in scheduled games to see how strategy is tested, refined, and executed.

Step into the decision-making process during "Gaming to Win", hosted by the Center for Maritime Strategy.

📍 Cherry Blossom Ballroom
📆 Wednesday April, 22 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

03/16/2026

Step into the decision-making seat.

At SAS2026, the Center for Maritime Strategy will host
“Gaming to Win” an interactive experience where attendees can explore how modern wargaming is shaping maritime strategy and operational planning.

Participants can observe and join demonstrations featuring both physical and digital game environments, highlighting the latest approaches in game theory, design, and strategic analysis.

Browse the demonstration floor, watch scenarios unfold, and see how strategic decisions are tested before they ever reach the fleet.

📍 Cherry Blossom Ballroom | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
📍 Wednesday, April 22

Be sure to add “Gaming to Win: Live Wargaming Demonstrations” to your SAS26 show planner: https://sas26.mapyourshow.com/8_0/sessions/session-details.cfm?scheduleid=105